Week 8 of Project 365

click to enlarge: Shabby Miss Jenn Loveshack paper and Shabby Babies notebook paper; Jen wilson Designs template, Days of week, and stamp of February (middle of page)

Here is week 8 of Project 365! I must go to bed at 12:20 a.m....it was a busy day! Our Marketing & Communications team at work unveiled the college's new website! check it out at www.naz.edu I wrote the article called "Hard at Play" about students taking class at Strong National Museum, and I wrote and coordinated the photo gallery called Naz Remembers NOLA. My friend Alicia and I also worked on the Spotlight video on Obama--we interviewed poli-sci professor, Dr. Tim Kneeland. I think it turned out great! Hope you all like it! My co-workers all worked so hard to get ready for this day...especially Col and Fran, the web dynamic duo. Amazing!!!

Catie, Meet....Simon

You could say it was a little night music that brought the Long girls together tonight...

As soon as I picked the girls up from Kathy's today....Kathy told me that Anna was practically asleep during storytime, and I knew she was tired by all the teary outbursts. After the bath, we put Enchanted CD on in Catie's room and Anna wanted to dance...I put on "So Close" by Jon McLaughlin--my personal fav on the disc and a good soft bedtime song, and she collapsed into my arms to settle right to sleep...as her little eyes fluttered off to sleep, ooh, what a mommy moment. She is going to be 3 in May--I can't even believe it. So moments like that, where she still seems so little,...make my heart skip a beat.

As I put Anna in her bed, and tucked Catie in...I thought to myself that I was actually getting downstairs at an earlier time than usual...so I could see a little "American Idol" before LOST in HD! (which is amazing by the way!!!!)

I rewound Idol back to the beginning on the DVR, and then hear little footprints scampering upstairs. Catie was the culprit...and before I knew it--she was downstairs telling me she couldn't sleep.

She thought I was watching Dancing with the Stars, and when I explained it was "Idol" she told me that she "really liked singing"..code word for "please let me watch a little mommy."

After we watched one female contestant, that neither of us really liked--I said let's see what the judges think. We listened and then watched a couple more contestants.

Here is the conversation from there: (bear in mind that Catie has NEVER seen the show)

Catie: "you know...the guy on the far right...he hasn't liked anyone's singing. He hasn't liked a single person so far!"

Mommy: (laughing inside at how right she is) "Yep.....that is Simon. It is his job...he is pretty mean to lots of people, but he's usually right about their singing."

Then we watched a couple more people...16-year old Allison Iraheta sang a "Heart" song and and Catie liked her. After the judges reviewed it, Catie exclaims "finally, Simon liked someone!"

I then took her upstairs and told her we could watch more on the DVR this week... "you're my American Idol girl now, huh?"



Catie: "Paula, she likes everyone and their singing.."
"ya, and Simon...he is the guy who doesn't like anybody .."
"Kara, she is just normal.."
" and the last guy...I don't know who he is."

Mommy: " Randy, Randy Jackson."

Catie: "Randy is the funny one!"

Mommy: "wow, Catie you nailed it right on the head...you are very good at figuring out what people are like--it is a gift I think, that is why you are such a good friend to people."

Catie: "Yah, no matter where I go, I like to find a good thing in everyone. It is a gift from God I think. (reflective pause as I give her a kiss and hug) It's kinda like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!"

Love Week Project 365...

wow...it is another cold, snowy and WINDY February night! Can I just say, I'm done with winter? After dropping Anna off with my mom (thank you!) and driving down the drifting roads to dance class with Catie, we all got home to hunker down. With the girls asleep...I turned on my fav "Grey's Anatomy" and Private Practice...the conclusion of the crossover episodes...very good! Then of course, I can't help but catch up on my Project 365 layouts! I had to do this one with a love theme!


I've also got my cart loaded up with goodies at Shabby Miss Jenn! She just released a giant Shabby Babies extravaganza...(hold onto your hat!) Yes, I am so excited!! I told Jenn, it makes me want to have another little one!

But for now, I'll focus on Stacey's baby shower in June....yes, my brother Matt and my sis-in-law Stacey are expecting! This is the official blog announcement! She is due in August. The kits and treats will be perfect! I can also use the goodies to make Anna's baby album (which still isn't done, and she'll be 3 in May) .

(Also...Pris...uh, isn't this cute! ??) :)

Where did February Go?

Ok, February has 28 days (most of the time!)...but why does it always seem so short!? :) It seems like we hit my birthday and Valentine's Day--and then it is almost over!

I am doing really well in taking my Project 365 photos--but I've fallen behind on the daily photo post on my blog! sorry to my faithful readers! :)

I finished the first week of February layout...and I've decided that it may help me keep my sanity to just do the layouts most of the time and post them..instead of the pressure of the daily photo. I'll still post fun photos in between, but not always in exact chronological order! :)

So, here is my latest P365 layout.....check out the hilarious photo of Trisha and Kelly...we went to see "He's Just Not that Into You." I had to document our girls' night, and they found this Friday the 13th cutout in the lobby...just too much. Love ya girls!

Catie's report card came on the first Friday of February, and we are so proud of her! She got a fantastic report...I told her on Valentine's Day that she can get the new "High School Musical 3" on Blu Ray! (yes, it will be our very first blu-ray...more below!)

click to enlarge
credits: template, paper and days of week elements
from Jen Wilson Designs, rhinestones and heart from Shabby Miss Jenn Love Potion

Valentine's Day and the kids' little parties were a fun time for them! Catie's school party was Friday, and it was also the last day for her teacher, Mrs. McClurg, before she began maternity leave. Catie had a great idea to make her very own valentine for her beloved teacher...it was so cute. She had the idea all designed in her head, and I let her do it all herself. She even came up with all the writing...I just helped her spell it. I was so proud of her!

Here are the treat bags that I worked on for her to take to her friends...and the little bags behind it were for Gramma, Kathy (the girls babysitter) and Catie's teacher. It had a little candy and a trial size of Mary Kay satin hands in it..the outside said "You deserve a hand!" (got the idea for the hand cream from Family Fun) The treat toppers and bags were from Shabby Miss Jenn...can't 'ya tell? :)

credits: SMJ LoveShack2 Sweet treats

Valentine's Day was fun...Anna and I rushed out the door to dance class...where she got a whole bag full of Valentines! She loved it! Then, when we got home...Rob and I gave the girls some little love treats...the bi g hit was Princess lip balm..thy each got the same 4, so there hopefully will be no clashing over it!
Anna is our lip balm addict...as you can see in the photos--she just loves to slather it on her little lips!

Valentine's Day night...Aunt Kelly came over and we had pizza and pedicures! Well, Anna took the plunge and got her toes painted. Catie just focused on her nails..because she couldn't give up her footie PJs! Gramma even joined in on the manicure fun!

More about the blu-ray....
This weekend we will hopefully be entering the world of HD! Our new Samsung flat screen TV or as Rob calls it, "the enchanted window" was hand-delivered yesterday and is sitting in a big box in our foyer! The Blu-Ray player arrived a few days before, and now we are just awaiting the HD cables...Rob is drooling to have time and "no distractions" to hook it up! (that means me and the girls must be out of the room! :) )

Back to Business

credits: Shabby Miss Jenn: Loveshack kit; Jen Wilson Project 52: stamped letters, days of week, journal card, font: time and time again

I must go to bed! it has been a long week...I finished the Valentines for the girls bags...Catie's are so cute, and she made Mrs. McClurg a really sweet Valentine all by herself! I'll post tomorrow! Anna is giving her friends at daycare some cute stickers and a Sesame St. book!

I loved the Grey's/Private Practice crossover week 2 tonight! I was also able to finish my Project 365 Week 5 layout above! my brain is officially mush...Rob is home...must go to bed.

early birthday fun!

What a wonderful Monday! The day before my birthday...and I took a vacation day from work to enjoy a date day with my hubby! (it's his normal day off) We sent Catie on the bus, and Anna went to Kathy's...and we drove into the city for some grown-up shopping! We called it "doing our part to help the economy!
Before we left, we hit the "purchase" button on amazon.com for a new flat screen tv and blu-ray that we've been eyeing...it was a great price, and we were saving our pennies!

We enjoyed lunch out, and then went furniture shopping and bought some new bar stools for our kitchen! (followed by putting one together tonight...gotta love those little wrenches they expect you to use)!

I came home to have a package waiting for me on the front porch--an early birthday present from Mom and Dad Long--I LOVE the beautiful wreath Anne--love it! It reminds me of spring!

It was our family party to celebrate my birthday tonight...since Rob could enjoy it too! He made me a carrot cake (YUM!) and the girls were so excited to give me my present! ta-da!! a Wii fit!



Let me tell you...after we got over the lovely process of how the wii fit weighs you, and tells you your BMI in front of the family--we all had a blast...even Anna--who LOVED the running race. It is great, and I think our whole family will have lots of fun.

Can't wait for more birthday fun tomorrow!

plus, I am behind on posting my Project 365 photos...but I've been snapping away!

Happy February

ooh...LOST just keeps getting better and better! Of course, it is now 12:30 a.m. and Rob is home and ready to watch. Part of me wants to stay up to see his reaction, but I must get some sleep!

Here are some fun photos from the past several days...I know Gramma Long has been checking back often--thanks to my wonderful mom-in-law for always being a faithful reader! :) (and all my other friends and family too!)

Here is the fun snowman that came home in Catie's backpack today! I had a mid-year conference with Catie's wonderful teacher, Mrs. McClurg, last night, and I saw her taking them down from the hallway--so I knew Mr. Snowman would soon be visiting us! Mrs. McClurg offered to meet with the parents to explain the kids' very first report card--and she will soon be going out on maternity leave--so it was nice to catch up with her before she leaves next week. Catie is doing great...it was nice to get a great explanation of her progress.

Anna just loves the Princess Polly Pockets that Catie had to keep hidden while Anna was a baby...now, we find them set up all over the house...I found these in the living room--in the middle of the floor by the toy castle on Tuesday night!

Groundhog Day wouldn't be complete without some furry friends! Catie wrote a story in school about Punxsy Phil with a groundhog prop...and Anna made this cute little guy at Kathy's house...with a little poem to the tune of "I'm a little teapot" :
I'm a little groundhog furry and brown
He's popping up to look around..
if he sees his shadow, down he'll go...
Six more weeks of winter--oh, no!

Superbowl snacks during halftime while listening to
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band...the girls got a little zany!

A visit to see Great Grandma Norris...we had dinner with her, and a nice time. I was so excited to get this cute photo on the first take! My beautiful grandma is 88 years old--isn't she lovely?

Music of the moment:
I am LOVING the new Jason Mraz CD that my friend Alicia burned for me...I have the songs
"Lucky" and "I'm Yours" in my head all day after my morning commute!

Funny Moment

Anna and Rob watching the Food Network the other day...
A: "who's her?"

R: "I don't know her name."
A: "I think she's a cooker."